West Broadway Middle’s Black named Outstanding First-Year principal

WEST BROADWAY Middle School Principal William Black stands with Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza during a surprise ceremony in which Black was named the 2016 Outstanding First-Year Principal of the Year. / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL PRINCIPALS
WEST BROADWAY Middle School Principal William Black stands with Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza during a surprise ceremony in which Black was named the 2016 Outstanding First-Year Principal of the Year. / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL PRINCIPALS

PROVIDENCE – William Black, principal of West Broadway Middle School, has been named the 2016 Outstanding First-Year Principal by the Rhode Island Association of School Principals.

Black received the honor in a surprise school assembly Wednesday afternoon, the association said.

Fellow staff members said Black was a student-centered principal who “creates conditions for students and teachers to be leaders.” West Broadway Middle school students agreed, saying he understood their point of view and “actually listens to student ideas.”

One parent said that after Black’s hire their child “can’t wait for Monday.”

- Advertisement -

During his tenure, Black has populated the new school with everything from teachers to desks and chalkboards and also has nurtured partnerships with colleges and universities. Those partnerships are expected to lead to future funding opportunities and educational collaborations.

The school’s district level assessment data has increased under Black and West Broadway Middle School is now leading the district in growth rates for English language arts and math. This improvement is due to Black’s investment in teacher and staff professional development, strong hiring practices and a focus on improvement, the association said.

Teachers at West Broadway Middle School are using the blended learning method, which involves partial instruction through online media sources. Two also have been awarded the R.I. Department of Education’s Digital Learning Champions Award.

Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza and School Superintendent Christopher Maher attended the ceremony to congratulate Black.

No posts to display